Swimming Cedar Park TX

Swimming is a great form of exercise because of the resistance that water provides for your muscles. There are many aquatic sports like competitive swimming, water aerobics and water gymnastics that can be practiced at any gym or fitness center in Cedar Park with a pool.

Walking

Aerobic Dance

Swimming

Rollerblading

Running/Jogging

Sprinting

Cycling

Cross Country Skiing

The following is a short list of the most common forms of cardiovascular exercise, with the advantages and disadvantages of each one. This is by no means a definitive list. If you do something that's not on the list and it works for you, keep doing it.

1. Walking

Walking is probably the most common form of cardio. People all over the world do it everyday.

It is very low-impact and can be done for hours on end, making it perfect for low-intensity, long-duration aerobic training.

Fast walking can even get your heart-rate up into the aerobic training zone (70%) if you really push it or walk up hills.

This is the form of cardio most often recommended for beginning exercisers, as it is very easy and not stressful to the body at all.

Walking shoes can be a good idea if you plan on walking a lot.

If you use hand weights while you are walking, be aware that studies have shown no difference in calories burned, strength or bodyfat as compared to people who did not use hand weights.

2. Running/Jogging

This is classic cardio and probably the first thing people think of when they think of getting in shape. Running can be done on the road, on a track, on a treadmill, through the woods, etc. All you need is a pair of shoes.

Running is a very natural activity, one that the body was built to do.

Running is also very effective at reducing hip size.

It is a very high-impact activity though, and very overweight people would be better off with something less jarring such as fast walking, cycling or swimming.

As with anything, start off slowly and gradually work up your speed and distance until you get where you want to be.

Running can also be a very social activity if you have a running partner or join a running club.

Performance Tips

Be careful when running down hills, as the impact is much greater. Overuse injuries due to excessive running are often caused by running downhill.

Ensure your foot is landing straight and is not splaying out to the side or inward.

If you get abdominal cramps while running you have a few options: stop and let it fade, stretch it out a little while running, massage the area, press on the area with your fingers or use your fist and punch the spot lightly. Cramps are caused by localized circulation difficulties. These strategies will help increase the circulation.

Get good shoes.

Allow your torso to rotate when striding. This will lengthen your stride and tighten up your waist as a bonus.

Local resource for weight lifting gyms in Cedar Park. Includes detailed information on local gyms that provide access to weight training, how to plan an appropriate weight lifting regiment, and how to stay motivated enough to stick with it.